Pharmacies in Oxford have been left without Covid-19 tests due to inconsistent deliveries, as the self-isolation period has been cut and Boris Johnson urges revellers to get a test before New Year’s Eve.
Lateral flow tests, which return a quick Covid-19 result, can be picked up from pharmacies, some community hubs and ordered for home delivery from Gov.uk.
Staff at some pharmacies in the city told the Oxford Mail they have been left without supplies of lateral flow tests for ‘weeks’, while the availability of tests on the Government website has been changing by the hour.
The inconsistency comes Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, backed the Government’s decision not to impose new Covid restrictions before the New Year and called the public “pretty responsible”.
Last week, the Government announced people could stop self-isolating after seven days if they get two negative lateral flow test results. While on Wednesday, the Press Association reported that Mr Johnson said: “I think everybody should enjoy New Year but in a cautious and sensible way.
“Take a test, ventilation, think about others – but, above all, get a booster.”
A staff member at Boots in Cornmarket explained it was “possible” the issues are due to more people ordering tests, adding the store has been out of stock for two to three weeks.
They said: “We have not had any today, our deliveries have been rather random.”
A pharmacist at Barton Pharmacy in Headington said they had not “got a clue” when the tests will be delivered and the store have had “none at all since December 24”.
Both Jhoots on Walton Street, Jericho and The Roundway Pharmacy in Headington blamed the lack of stock on the companies who deliver the tests.
One staff member at The Roundway said tests had been “completely out of stock” for about a week and a half.
Readers also spoke out about the inconsistency in test supplies.
Taking to Facebook, a number of readers said they had “no problem” ordering tests for home delivery while others said they unable to get any either online or from pharmacies.
Verity Mills-Davies said everywhere has an ‘out of stock’ sign while Emma Rowlands described ‘struggling’ to get a test.
She said: “None available online for delivery and when I got a collection code instead today, the pharmacy had none in stock!”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association Of Independent Multiple Pharmacies the lack of consistent supplies is putting pharmacists in a difficult position.
Dr Hannbeck said: “On one hand, the Government is asking us to adhere to guidelines and on the other hand there is not enough supply to go around.”
A spokesperson for Roche, which manufactures Covid-19 tests, told the Oxford Mail demand has “increased sharply” recently but the company has reacted “immediately” and is “continuing to ramp up production so that current demand can be met”.
A spokesperson from Boots said: “Boots provides access to COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device test kits on behalf of the NHS.
“We are able to order more stock from the NHS each day and are therefore restocking regularly, but due to high demand over the holiday season, some stores will run out before the end of the day.
“The NHS website shows the nearest pharmacy offering lateral flow tests to your location.”
The Oxford Mail has approached the NHS and UK Health Security Agency for comment.
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